A: Actually, I believe it might be a reminder of something different, of how Manu derived pleasure from the game through his 40th birthday. As for the game changing, the roles of Dwyane and Udonis would be close to what they were last season, Wade as limited-minutes scorer off the bench, Haslem as de facto player-coach. If anything, the lesson from Manu is that a player such as Dwyane could continue on for several years, as long as there is an appreciation for when to try to take over and when to stand aside. Dwyane handled that role particularly well after his return last season. What will be missed from a Heat perspective are the celebrations by those Argentine fans who would fill the stands at AmericanAirlines Arena when Manu and the Spurs made their annual regular-season visits (as well as their two NBA Finals visits).

A: I don't think there necessarily will be any "clearing" announcement by the Heat, but rather a gradual return process during camp and the preseason. Last year, Dion made it clear at the start of camp that he still was playing in discomfort, which the staff continually downplayed until it became apparent surgery was necessary. I would expect something similar at camp this year, minus the updates from Dion. In other words, the only expected public notice of Dion's return schedule will be his time on the court, when in public view (with Heat practices closed to the public and most of them closed to the media until the very end).

Q: Getting under the cap by the deadline, while adding some draft assets, is a must. The Heat need to thin out the guards, move Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow to their natural positions, at shooting guard and small forward, and give Hassan more minutes to evaluate if he should be kept next year. -- Gabriel.

A: First, getting under the tax might mean sacrificing assets, not adding them. That will be among the Heat's concerns, considering the second-round picks it cost to get under the tax in 2016. As for delineating positons for Richardson and Winslow, I'm sure Erik Spoelstra's answer would be, "Positions? What positions?" Getting past position-less, I'm not sure you can get Josh to shooting guard with Dion Waiters, Wayne Ellington and possibly Dwyane Wade on the roster. As for more minutes for Hassan, how with Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo also on the roster? That last issue could be the most fascinating in camp and during the season.

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Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.